More than true crime: Freshman forensic science student brings vision of compassionate justice to University of Toronto

Mapalo Mushoriwa wouldn't exactly call herself a “true crime girl.” But she's not afraid to explore the complexities of criminal psychology to advance her vision of compassionate justice.

Mushoriwa, who begins studying forensic science at the University of Toronto Mississauga this fall, says her fascination stems from a high school essay on wrongful convictions that led her to study the role of mental health in the criminal justice system.

She found a prison system that often prioritized punishment over rehabilitation, which she believes is essential for reducing recidivism and crime.

At the University of Toronto, Mississauga, Mushoriwa aims to research interventions that help prisoners receive the comprehensive, compassionate care they need, benefiting both the individual inmate and society as a whole.

“The way I see it, every story has multiple layers,” she says. “It takes a certain kind of person to be able to look at that person despite the horrific crimes they committed and then see them as a human being and hold them accountable for what they did.”

Mushoriwa is familiar with scientific investigations – especially when they have a social impact. She represented her hometown of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, at the Canada-Wide Science Fair two years in a row, winning a bronze medal for outstanding achievement in May.

In her two-part experiment, she investigated how different cadmium concentrations combined with different temperature conditions can affect the germination and growth of wheat, an important crop in her community of about 18,000 residents.

Mushoriwa said the results were inconclusive, but a research laboratory is continuing the investigation and she hopes they will eventually provide valuable insights to local farmers.

“The project affected me very closely,” says Mushoriwa, pointing out that although her family is not involved in farming, many people in her close community are witnessing firsthand the impact of the toxins on crop yields.

In addition to studying forensic science at the University of Toronto, Mushoriwa plans to explore her creative side with a minor in theatre. She says she discovered her passion for the stage in high school and won a regional award for outstanding acting for her leading role in The Inexplicable Chaos Factor by Mia Gregorya play that deals with mental health issues.

“I was so immersed in this world and wanting to share this story that it was a kind of intense passion where I somehow found a way to connect myself and the character I was playing,” says Mushoriwa. “It was just an experience like no other.”

It was one of many extracurricular activities that led Mushoriwa to become involved in her community. In high school, she served as secretary of the student council, chaired the graduation committee and was captain of the soccer team. She is also an active member of her church's youth group.

Mushoriwa says that attending the University of Toronto was her dream since she was a child, and now she feels like she has achieved her happy ending – and more.

Not only is she pursuing her passion at her dream university, but she is also one of a select group of recipients of the National Scholarship, U of T's most prestigious award for Canadian high school students entering university.

After losing her mother at age 12, Mushoriwa says her father gave her every chance possible. The scholarship – which covers tuition, utilities and housing costs for up to four years of study – feels like a shared reward for all the hard work and sacrifices they made together.

“I thought, isn’t this just perfect?” says Mushoriwa. “The school I wanted to go to since I was a child, the exact degree [I was interested in] – I couldn’t wish it any other way.”

Although she can't wait to begin her journey at U of T Mississauga, Mushoriwa admits she has mixed feelings about moving away from her father and the close-knit Swift Current community that has supported her every step of the way.

“My dad and I are basically inseparable, so it might be hard being so far away,” she says. “I'm looking forward to the personal growth I'll experience.”

“Maybe I’ll learn something new about myself.”